Musicology

Musicology provides knowledge of various historical eras and genres within music.

The diversity of music is placed in context with musical analysis and interpretation, acoustic studies, the understanding of history and culture, studies of music and society, and music in interplay with other art forms. Genres such as classical-, jazz- and popular music, as well as folk and world music, will be emphasized.

In itself, music is a wide concept that embraces an abundance of acoustic, artistic and cultural expressions. Musicology as a discipline aims to develop an understanding and acknowledgment of music and its associated phenomena of expression.

The programme of study in Musicology emphasises analysis of musical expressions in relation to their aesthetic characteristics, as well as their cultural and historical origins. Substantial objects of analyses include forms of music and traditions that we encounter at concerts and festivals, rituals and services, and in the media at large. Central works from European music history and recordings of essential performers of jazz and popular music will be analysed. Students will be provided with a practical approach to Musicology through a number of technical skills and proficiency of the disciplines.

The practical approach to the study of music is received through instruction on the principal instrument, in aural training, choral conducting and improvisation.

In order to be considered as a successful applicant, the student must document that s/he is a qualified music performer. The programme has an annual practical and theoretical entrance entrance test in May.

Facts and Figures

The academic year at NTNU is divided into two semesters: autumn and spring, autumn being the first semester in a new academic year.

The autumn semester starts in August and ends in December. The spring semester starts in January and ends in June.

The Department of Music has about 470 degree seeking students: Musicology (140), Music Performance Studies (200), Dance Studies (30) and Music Technology (100). It has 37 teachers in permanent positions and 110 part-time teachers. The administrative staff consists of 13 employees.